28th August 2010 Striking while the weather is hot
Over three unusually mild days, Julia and Mitesh joined us for two local winter alpine asents, and a relaxed explore of the Bealey Valley to finish off with. Snow conditions were diverse and sometimes slow, but this intreped duo took it all in their stride! Winter has been fickle this year, and there has been less snow than recent seasons. This will make for less snow cover on most alpine routes as we go into spring, especially once the warm Norwesters really get into gear. Hamish

23rd March 2010 Walking home the long way.
Recidivist adventurer Stephen Mattingley, and I, have just successfully tramped from Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park to the Toaroha Valley, near Hokitika. We enjoyed a window of fine weather that stayed with us for the 17 days we were walking, then slammed closed the day after we returned. The 200km route took us over many high passes to the east of the alps, and through rain forest to the west. It was a classic Southern Alps adventure! Hamish

Murchison Valley from Ailsa Pass (2190m), Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. © H Reid 2010

18th February 2010 Exciting times
Golly, 2010, how did that sneak up on us so fast? Despite its sudden arrival, it is shaping up to be a good year here in the hills. We (Eleanor and I) are getting to know our new Daughter, Sophie, and Thomas is turning into quite the wee adventurer at the ripe old age of 2. My involvement with the safe management of the mountain running section of the Speight's Coast to Coast race last weekend was exciting and professionally challenging. And, next month, I am very excited to be guiding a 3 week tramp from Aoraki/Mt Cook to Lake Kaniere. After that I hope to be spending some time working with courses delivering leadership training for Search and Rescue and Coast Guard personnel. While we have decided to refrain from overnight guided trips until spring, for family reasons, I am also looking forward to sharing the hills over winter with clients on guided day hikes and peak ascents. So here's to an exciting 2010! Hamish

1st December 2009 Number 2!
As of the 24th of November, Eleanor and I now have a lovely daughter named Sophie, and Thomas of course now has a wee sister. Regards, Hamish and Eleanor.

18 September 2009 There are two sides to every coin
Involvement with Search and Rescue often brings great satisfaction at being able to help others in the back country. Sometimes though it can bring frustration or sadness, when our help comes too late or is not enough to save a life. This was the case last week, when avalanches and other localised hazards prevented rescuers from reaching the site, on Mt Rolleston, where an 18 year old ski mountaineer had fallen through a melt hole. It was exceptionally difficult to exercise the patience and caution required of this situation, knowing that a climber was up there beyond our reach.

Our thoughts are with the young man's family and friends.

It was also a reminder that there are two sides to adventure. The rewards of managing challenging situations and harsh environments are great, but sometimes it can be easy to forget that there are penalties for getting it wrong. In some cases, the penalty can be severe. It is essential that one consciously chooses the level of penalty they are prepared to accept, and manages their adventures accordingly. A colleague, Scott Robertson, once told me that hope is not a risk management strategy. If you find yourself hoping that you won't be facing that ultimate penalty, then you need to change something. Take care out there. Hamish

2 August 2009 What a winter!
With plenty of snow in the village throughout July, 2009 is keeping with it's early promise of providing a good winter. Stephen, a glutton for adventurous Arthur's Pass journeys, joined us again for more alpine magic. We spent some great weather exploring the local peaks and even made a 3 day snow shoe traverse of Tarn Col. The conditions provided both a stiff challenge, and beautiful vistas. It was a special week in the mountains.

27 June 2009 The coldest June in many years...
is just about over. Spectacular frozen waterfalls, delicate hoar frost and clear starry nights have defined this month. The clearer weather has allowed us to get out into the hills on several frosty adventures. Climbing conditions on the whole are good and avalanche danger has remained moderate, making for good climbing opportunities.

16 May 2009
Thanks to everyone who joined us on adventures so far this season. We've enjoyed your company immensely, and learned from your generous feedback. We hope in turn we have been able to provide you with an unforgettable time in the mountains and some new skills to employ on future adventures. We hope to see you again soon.

We are now preparing for winter; sharpening crampons, checking climbing gear and playing with our new snow shoes. The weather has been atrocious over the last couple of weeks, but that has its benefits too. We have stayed inside a lot, drinking milo with the fire going!

The photo is looking east from Mt Rolleston a couple of weeks ago. Most of this view is now covered in snow, but we have not been able to get up there to see it :~) .

19 March 2009 Autumn Weather ideal for alpine antics
Stewart and Hamish had the pleasure of some stunning Autumn weather in which to traverse Tarn Col. Cool mornings greeted us and warm clear days followed us up the valleys and over the passes. The last day prompted a little haste when a Nor-west storm chased us down the Hawdon, but nothing we could not handle. It proved a great trip for views, photography and wide ranging conversations.

20 January 2009 Sun shines on tramping quintet
Hamish, Sydney, David, Allan and Phillip have just completed the Three Passes tramp. The adventure was dominated by a wonderful four day stretch hot sunny weather, low rivers and close-up views of the endangered Whio or blue duck. The last day then delivered heavy rain to keep us honest, but after so much sun it was hard to dampen our spirits. Thanks to the team for 5 very enjoyable days in the mountains.

17 December 2008 5 days and 5 passes
Stephen and Hamish have just emerged from 5 days of fun tramping that saw them summit 5 passes and cross the main divide 4 times. As part of Stephen and Sandy's expedition to tramp and raft from Hokitika to the Clarance/Waiou-toa river mouth, Hamish and Stephen tramped the Three Passes route and then over Goat Pass to the Otira. All the best to Stephen and Sandy as they continue on their journey!

6 December 2008 Summer is here
The passes are clearing, the flowers are beginning to bloom and the time is right for walking in the mountains! Little Thomas has been getting into the swing of things, even though he still needs dad to carry him around.

6 November 2008 Farewell and thank you Noel
Last month, local outdoor instructor, fellow climber and friend Noel Oien died in a fall from the Warnocks Bluff area of Mt Phillistine. Thanks for the climbing, biking, skiing, rescues and other adventures we shared. We will miss you Noel. Hamish.

6 November 2008 Off on an adventure
Hamish has just returned from a month instructing on a NOLS New Zealand expedition in Kahurangi National Park. This journey kept Hamish away from home throughout October 2008. We closed the office during this period, and normal @ home in the hills operations resumed from Friday 7th November, 2008.

7 September 2008 At home in the hills?
For us, being at home in the hills means a lot of things. One of them is the ability to feel comfortable in an adverse environments. That doesn't always mean physical comfort, but the ability to stay calm, function mentally and look after yourself and your friends no matter what the weather is doing. It is not a function of brute strength and physical resilience, but simply a little knowledge and skill put to good use. This winter has been ideal for developing that comfort. Lets hope spring is a little kinder :~)

16 August 2008 It keeps on falling
It has been snowing steadily since Thursday 14th. That in itself is not so surprising, but the fact that close to a metre of snow has now accumulated in Arthur's Pass Village is. The forecast is for more snow for the next 2-3 days. It was all a bit much for our woodshed, as you can see to the right. The avalanche danger is currently extreme, so we will be staying at home and keeping the fire going for the next few days!

4 August 2008 Windy winter wonders
The big storms that seem to have characterised this winter so far have left their mark on the park. Big curling cornices hang along the flanks of many ridges, and the snowpack is strongly wind affected. The resulting avalanche danger means that ridge routes have been the only safe mountaineering options over the last couple of weeks. On a recent excursion to Temple Col, and the creatively named Blimit (the 'Bl*#y Limit!') Ridge, we were rewarded with elegant cornices and wind sculpted waves of wind deposited snow. Beautiful to look at, but an obvious warning to stay within safe terrain. Only travel in these conditions if you know how to identify safe terrain and are carrying transceivers, shovels and probes.

1st July 2008: Mountaineering resumes
We have resumed guided mountaineering activities now that there is once again significant snow cover on the local peaks. Unusually poor mountaineering conditions existed in much of Arthur 's Pass National Park during autumn, and we took a temporary break from mountaineering. Winter conditions have finally arrived and set things right again!